Guardian (Sequel to Fearless)

Chapter Seventeen

Emergency A/N -- READ THIS! So, not gonna lie... This site really screwed me and glitch-posted like half my chapter when I pressed the Save button. I had to quickly erase my work, showing a lot of you guys a "T" or, in @CalioEmber case, showed the first 700 words. THIS IS THE FULL CHAPTER AND I'M SO TERRIBLY SORRY FOR 17 BLIPPING UP. ANYONE WHO READ THE "T" OR ANY EVEN LUCKIER PERSON WHO READ THE START OF IT EARLY... Read it again! There is really important content that you will miss without rereading it. I DECIDED TO KILL MY SLEEP AND FINISH THIS FOKKIN' THING BECAUSE I LOVE YOU GUYS AND HATE THAT I GOT YOU ALL EXCITED FOR NOTHING. Man, I'm so closed to pulling my hair out right now.

Not so Emergency A/N -- Song fits the mood of the first half of the chapter! Give it a listen if you so desire.

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The next night had all of the women, along with the family they had saved, safely stationed at the next village. It was fairly large for a village, a bit bigger than Eda actually. They'd gotten in a couple hours ago, just enough time to eat a decent dinner and purchase a couple of rooms at the inn.

The villagers had gone their own way upon arrival, saying that they had friends here they could stay with and also profusely thanking the group once more for their help.

Now, Iris got settled in with Sorella. They'd decided amongst themselves to put two to a room, and Iris had somehow ended up with Azabela's grandmother. It wasn't a problem to the rogue. Despite the initial scowl and hatred in her face towards Hench, Sorella had redeemed herself. Especially yesterday, when she had treated Arden's wounds without question. Seeing that act had promptly reminded Iris that not all heroes carried weapons.

The man would have died without the care Sorella had provided. Iris knew enough about infections that he would have probably lasted another three or four days before the festering became lethal. At the thought of his rescue and treatment, Iris smiled and finished unpacking her things for the night.

In the meantime, Hench sat on her small bed deep in thought. Even in the flickering candle-light, she saw each detail in the space. But then she didn't. She took then to staring at the other bed across the room, but was more looking through the thing rather than at it. Quietly, she fingered the cloth she still possessed. In her life, she thought she'd never see the sigil again. She knew where it had come from --knew it too well. She also knew it wasn't a symbol she ever wanted to see again. It was something she'd avoided for years.

But here it was. It made her want to shrink in her skin. Throwing it on the floor in disdain, she ducked her head in her hands and took in a deep draw of air, tousling the top of her hair with her fingers.

That's how Azabela found her. The huntress closed and locked the door behind her, finding Hench looking inherently stressed. The red, tarnished bit of linen laid idly by her feet.

"We'll get him, Rhalla." She knew exactly what the woman wanted to hear. "What happened to you won't ever happen again. To anyone. Even if I have to hunt the man down to the ends of the world. It's time to end this."

Now, Hench looked to find Azabela walking toward her.

The archer sat down beside the woman and kicked the sigil under the bed. "Forget about it for now. Okay? Think happy thoughts."

Hench offered a serene smile at the girl. "Tell me a happy thought, girl."

"Well, you got to meet Iris Gwenneth," Azabela offered up. "She's a sweet girl. She's rambunctious... feisty too. The stories truly don't do her justice. She must be brave too, to take you on as a mentor."